United Airlines is poised to make aviation history as veteran Boeing 787 captain Chresten Wilson prepares to become the airline’s most senior pilot and the first woman to achieve that distinction, in the spring of 2026. The milestone arrives as the carrier commemorates its centennial year.
Wilson’s anticipated ascension to the top seniority position among United’s 18,000 pilots marks the culmination of a 42-year career navigating a male-dominated industry, where women currently comprise only approximately 6% of pilots, according to industry reports. Her achievement comes at a time when airlines are grappling with a significant pilot shortage and increasing demand for qualified aviators.
“I’ve done something that no woman has accomplished,” Wilson told Fortune after a recent trip to Australia. “It just goes to show that it can be done and [I’m] trying to inspire more women to get into the field.”
The role of an airline pilot offers not only prestige and the opportunity for global travel but also a substantial income, with the potential to exceed $400,000 annually for captains flying wide-body international aircraft, according to Business Insider. The profession is also considered relatively secure from automation, as artificial intelligence is unlikely to fully replace the critical decision-making skills of a human pilot in the foreseeable future.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median base salary for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is $226,000, significantly higher—roughly 358%—than the national median for all occupations.
Boeing projects a global demand for approximately 660,000 new pilots over the next two decades, driven by the growth of air travel and the impending retirement of experienced pilots.
Wilson’s journey began with a childhood fascination sparked by an aerial photography flight with her father at age nine. She recalled being immediately captivated, telling her father, “This is what I’m going to do when I grow up.” Growing up in Denver, she was consistently encouraged by the visible presence of United’s training center. “Nobody ever told me that there were no women airline pilots… I just kept that in my head that that’s what I was going to do.”
After beginning flight training while attending college in Denver, Wilson became a flight instructor and secured an application to United through a former student. Hired at age 22, she progressed from flight engineer—a role that is no longer common—to copilot on the Boeing 737, and ultimately to captain. She has held the rank of captain for 31 years and currently flies the 787 out of San Francisco, operating primarily long-haul international routes.
Wilson emphasized the importance of dedication and consistency for aspiring pilots. “Once you start your training, it’s something you need to be dedicated to and consistent with. It’s not something you want to start and stop,” she said, encouraging potential candidates not to be discouraged by skepticism.
The career demands significant commitment, including continuous retraining, regular proficiency checks, and a travel schedule that can be particularly demanding in the early stages of a pilot’s career. “You are gone from home quite a bit. When you’re not very senior, you tend to miss your kids’ birthdays and T‑ball games,” Wilson noted. “If you want to be home every Christmas, it may not happen.”
Wilson will officially assume the top seniority position following the retirements of two other pilots later this spring. She concluded by emphasizing the importance of safe operations, stating, “I always say [to my crew], ‘keep me off of CNN and don’t make me the one they’re talking about at the next training event.’ Let’s have a safe operation. the only attention we want to draw to ourselves is the safe operation and a smooth landing.”
